Montana 5740 loader "sinking"

[donrea]

My 2006 Montana 5740 - cab, 4wd, loader 1900 hrs has a problem. The loader sinks down when valve (joystick) is in neutral or default position. When you jiggle the joystick it will often, but not always, stabilize and stay where it is. There is no external oil leak on the cylinders - I think it must be in the valve body.

Can anyone help me out - this is very annoying and difficult to control - actually unsafe.

Thanks for any and all response.

 

[workinonit]

Sounds like you are on the right track. I would say the cylinders could be leaking by but the fact that moving the stick affects it may indicate a valve issue.

 

[LD1]

Its not the cylinders. The cylinders cannot compress (drift down) without a place for the oil to go. That leaves 2 options, a leak or back through the valve. Since you said no leak that points to the valve.

IF wiggling the joystick corrects the issue, its probably a spool not actually returning to center. If this is a cable controlled valve first check the condition of the cables and make sure one of them isnt hanging up. An other option would be something broke or debris in the can on the end of the valve that houses the return to neutral spring(s) and detent mechanism

 

[donrea]

Its not the cylinders. The cylinders cannot compress (drift down) without a place for the oil to go. That leaves 2 options, a leak or back through the valve. Since you said no leak that points to the valve.

IF wiggling the joystick corrects the issue, its probably a spool not actually returning to center. If this is a cable controlled valve first check the condition of the cables and make sure one of them isnt hanging up. An other option would be something broke or debris in the can on the end of the valve that houses the return to neutral spring(s) and detent mechanism

I guess what I would like to know is if this is a common problem, or something that members have experienced before? I have owned many tractors, but not many with cable controlled valves - usually just direct lever to the valve. Dirt or debris in the cable/spool would be my first bet - thanks for the tip.

 

[RustyA]

Have you tried operating the loader repeatedly to full lift and lower? Perhaps if a little debris is in the valve it will get dislodged? Just a thought for you to try.

 

[LD1]

I guess what I would like to know is if this is a common problem, or something that members have experienced before? I have owned many tractors, but not many with cable controlled valves - usually just direct lever to the valve. Dirt or debris in the cable/spool would be my first bet - thanks for the tip.

So is yours cable?

I don't know if it's a "common" problem. But it does cause issues and it's easy to check cables. Cables just add another level of complexity vs levers right on the valves

 

[JimB77]

If joystick control cable is dry/dirty inside housing not allowing easy cable movement then spool may not be returning to correct home position in valve housing causing internal oil leakage in FEL control valve.